UNF Course Syllabus: African American Music Heritage, MUH 3055 – BIERNACKI – 2007: Summer B 1

University of North Florida Department of Music Course Syllabus

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Term: Summer B (Jun. 28 – Aug. 07, 2007) Name & Course Number: African American Music Heritage – MUH 3055 – BIERNACKI Semester Hours: 3.0 Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 6:10 pm - 9:40 pm. Place: Building 45 / Fine Arts Center - Room 1200 (Recital Hall) Professor: Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki Office: Building 45 / Fine Arts Center - Room 2308 Office Telephone: (904) 620-3852 E-mail: kbiernac@unf.edu Office Hours: Mondays @ 11:00 – 12:00 or by appointment.

______________________________________________________ COURSE OBJECTIVE: The objective of this course is to examine the character and influence of traditional Western African music on the development of American music styles from the 17th century until the present. These traditions and influences will be traced from slavery through the modern times. In doing so, a study will be made of work songs, blues, spirituals, gospel, jazz, certain aspects of popular music, as well as classical genres and their influence on the development of modern American music. Works of major black composers and performers will be studied including their influence on composers of other cultures.

TEXTBOOK & COURSE MATERIALS: The course will be based on the following textbook, which is available in the bookstore:

Burnim, Mellonie V. and Portia K. Maulttsby. African American Music, an Introduction. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2006.

ML 3556 .A34 2006 - UNF Additional readings suggested for the preparation of the research paper include the following:

Southern, Eileen. The Music of Black Americans: A History. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

Southern, Eileen, ed. Readings in Black American Music. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1983. Tirro, Frank. Jazz: A History. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1993.

The above volumes, plus additional CD’s and video recordings including listening quiz materials, are placed on reserve at the Thomas Carpenter Library Reserve Desk under this professor’s last name. COURSE FORMAT: This course will be largely based on traditional lecture format and it will rely on extensive use of audio and video materials. In preparation for each lecture, students are expected to read ahead in their textbooks covering the individual chapters listed in the course schedule. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken every class and absences will be reflected in the final mark breakdown as listed below. Students missing class will incur 1 % deduction per absence. ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZEZ:

UNF Course Syllabus: African American Music Heritage, MUH 3055 – BIERNACKI – 2007: Summer B 2

There will be 2 listening quizzes, 1 short midterm exam including listening component, 1 written assignment (research paper), and the final exam. More information regarding specific assignment requirements will be handed out on July 3rd during class. MISSED EXAMS OR QUIZES: There will be no make up exams or quizzes. If a student cannot attend a scheduled exam or quiz, the student must get advance permission to take the test at another time. Such arrangements will only be permitted under extraordinary circumstances. COURSE SCHEDULE: Week I June 28th – General introduction and description of the course. Black Music in America:

From Then Till Now. Week II July 3rd – The African Legacy and the Colonial Era.

July 5th – Two Wars and the New Nation. Week III July 10th – Antebellum Urban Life. Antebellum Rural Life.

July 12th – The War Years and Emancipation. After the War. Week IV July 17th – LISTENING QUIZ # 1. The New Century.

July 19th – Precursors of Jazz. Week V July 24th – SHORT MIDTERM including LISTENING COMPONENT. The Jazz Age.

July 26th – The Harlem Renaissance and Beyond. Week VI July 31st – LISTENIN G QUIZ # 2. The Mid-Century Decades. Singers, Instrumentalists,

and Composers.

August 2nd – Currents in Contemporary Arenas. Week VII August 7th – FINAL EXAM – Last class. Research papers due in class. GRADING POLICY & MARK BREAKDOWN:

The final mark will be calculated as follows:

10% = Attendance (1% per absence) 10% = Listening Quiz # 1 10% = Listening Quiz # 2 20% = Short Midterm 20% = Research Paper 30% = Final Exam

A = 93-100 A– = 90-92 B+ = 87-89 B = 83-86 B– = 80-82 C+ = 77-79 C = 70-76 C– = 67-69 D = 60-66 F = 59 or below

UNF Course Syllabus: African American Music Heritage, MUH 3055 – BIERNACKI – 2007: Summer B 3

Good Luck !!!